Sue Bird Named Managing Director for USA Women's Basketball Team

Sue Bird, a five-time Olympic gold medalist and WNBA legend, will be named the managing director of the USA women's national basketball team for the 2028 Olympic cycle, marking a significant change in the team's leadership structure. Unlike the previous system that used a committee to select players and coaches, Bird will now be responsible for choosing both player rosters and coaching staff for the Olympic and World Cup teams, similar to the role Grant Hill holds for the men's team. This move is intended to maintain high interest in international play among top women athletes as financial and professional opportunities grow within the sport. The decision follows Team USA's narrow victory over France in the gold-medal game at the 2024 Paris Olympics and is seen as a way to leverage Bird's credibility and influence with current players. The announcement is set to take place at Nike HQ in New York City and represents USA Basketball's effort to adapt to the growing popularity and competitiveness of women's basketball. Bird, who recently retired from the WNBA and was inducted into the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame, is expected to work closely with existing program leadership to ensure continued success.